GALLERY

Conflicting reports about who sent text to Red Sox bosses

By now you’ve heard about the text message that Red Sox players sent management about their displeasure with skipper Bobby Valentine.

The text was sent from Adrian Gonzalez’s cellphone, which led to what Yahoo! sports said was a meeting between 17 players and management.

This from the New York Daily News:

“Gonzalez was not the author of the now-infamous text message to Boston ownership complaining about ... Valentine, although it was sent from his cell phone ... sources told the Daily News.

“Those sources also said catcher Kelly Shoppach was deeply involved in writing the message ... but Shoppach would not confirm that charge.”

Shoppach has since been dealt to the Mets.

Coincidence? A convenient scapegoat?

“All I know is that Adrian didn’t do what people are saying he did,” one Red Sox player told the Daily News. “He’s not like that. He’s a good team guy. He’s the kind of guy who would even cover for someone who did something wrong.”

“I’m really disappointed that my name was even brought up in that,” Shoppach told
ESPNNewYork.com. “I wasn’t behind any texts. I actually didn’t even attend the meeting (with ownership). It was on an off-day in New York and I stayed back in Texas with my family.

“I’ve already gotten a few text messages from former teammates apologizing that my name was even brought up in it. Everybody that is involved in that whole situation knows that I had nothing to do with it.”

Trivia time

What team leads the major leagues in walk-off losses?

More Red Sox

Many are skeptical that Shoppach authored the text. Sample from the Twitterverse:

• From ESPN’s @JorgeArangure: “Maybe Kelly Shoppach was the one who created Melky (Cabrera)’s fake website using his info.”

• From @DMS_JR: “Kelly Shoppach texted my ma and told her I was smoking a cigarette yesterday.”

They said it

• From Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel: “Have you been reading the stories about that 18-foot Burmese python that was caught and killed in the Everglades? This is believed to be the biggest snake the State of Florida has seen since Urban Meyer left for Ohio State.”

•From Jay Leno: Florida police “arrested a man who said he finally achieved his goal of shoplifting in all 50 states. You know what you call someone who steals from all 50 states? Congressman.”

Trivia answer

Per ESPN Stats & Info, the Brewers and Phillies have 10 walk-off losses.